BREAKING: Steelers Make TJ Watt The Highest Paid Defensive Player With Mega 4-Year, 112M Deal

September 9, 2021, 4:37pm EST (Updated: September 29, 2023, 11:24pm)By Darrelle Lincoln

Steelers and T.J. Watt have made "significant progress" on an extension now expected to be completed in the next 24 hours, per source. The deal will make him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL. "It's getting done," per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 9, 2021

Ian rapoport of NFL Network added that Watt was getting a 4-year extension worth more than $112M.

This contract will pay Watt $28.003 million per year and makes him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.

Sources: The #Steelers and star pass-rusher TJ Watt have a mega-deal. He’s going to sign a 4-year extension worth more than $112M — $28.003M average per year — with $80M fully guaranteed at signing. The highest paid defensive player in football. ? ? ?
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 9, 2021